Radio-controlled vehicles zero in on mass - Toys - Brief Article

DSN Retailing Today, June 24, 2002

In the interest of assuring radio-controlled vehicles will fly off shelves in December, several toy manufacturers are launching anything and everything with propellers and wings.

Riding the success of its E-Charges Intruder radio-controlled airplane, Spin Master Toys will begin rolling out the Air Hogs Helicopter to retail shelves this August.

Like the Intruder, the Air Hogs Helicopter relies on an on-board computer chip to stabilize the 'copter in its first second of flight. The key to getting this helicopter off the ground is a new flight system dubbed "proportional control," which uses a basic trigger function to regulate altitude and speed.

With simplified controls and a launching pad, the Air Hogs Helicopter can reach heights up to 100 feet and travel distances of 300 feet. At $69.99, the copter offers an affordable alternative to hobbyist radio-controlled planes, which often cost upwards of $500. "There's never been a toy like this. It's unique, it's different and it's never been available at this price point before," said Andrew Kamondy of Spin Master Toys.

Having produced more than five million flying toys since 1998, Spin Master knows a thing or two about getting complex gizmos like the Air Hogs to market. "We are the largest manufacturer of airplanes in the world, albeit smaller than your regular airplanes," he said. "These kind of products are very hard to get off the ground."

That said, Jakks Pacific grounded plans for TMX RC Falcon Radio Controlled Turbo Fan Copter, shown by its subsidiary Toymax at this year's Toy Fair. It will, however, go full throttle with its radio-controlled stunt machine The Equalizer. This power-packed vehicle with a "drivers" command allows kids to steer the racer to perform wheelies, edgeside driving and power slides at speeds over 13 feet per second.

Hasbro's WowWee division is all set to take its RC airplane to market this August with the launch of Power Air Surfer Radio Control Airplane.

The Power Air Surfer's parts snap into place and can be launched by tossing the glider into the air. The RC control and fully charged battery give the product 10 solid hours of flight time. Young pilots can use the controllers to make their planes complete dives, barrel rolls, spirals and spins.

Eyeing a need in the market for RC planes under $100, WowWee developed Power Air Surfer with kids in mind. "This plane, at $60 retail, gives the mass market a chance to participate in this hobby," said Liane Czirjak, vp marketing for Hasbro's WowWee and Tiger divisions.

The Power Air Surfer, available in two styles, will be in stores nationwide this fall for a SRP of $60.

Low-priced RC airplanes, such as the Air Hogs Helicopter and Power Air Surfer, give kids a chance to take over the controls, rather than just stand idly by as their fathers pilot expensive, less kid-friendly models.